Keul Finishes Second At NCAA Indoor Championships
3/9/2001 12:00:00 AM | Track & Field
March 9, 2001
Stephen F. Austin pole vaulter Adam Keul, a junior from Tyler, finished second at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships held Friday night in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The SFA record holder vaulted 5.62m at the event to tie for first with Jacob Pauley of Northern Iowa, as the competition came to a close.
Officials then went back and counted misses by both athletes and found that they were still tied, so Keul entered a jump-off. Both athletes cleared the 18-8 height then officials began lowering the bar 8 centimeters on each subsequent attempt. After a greuling competition and several jumps in the jump-off, Keul eventually missed and Pauley was declared the national champion in the event.
"It was an incredible performance and an incredible competition," said SFA head track and field coach Phil Olson. "Adam was so close to claiming a national championship, it was an incredible performance. He has improved so much over the last several months, I think he will have a great chance to win the outdoor championship in the later this spring," added Olson.
Ladyjack pole vaulter Misty Ballard will compete Saturday evening in the women's pole vault. The SFA and Southland Conference record holder is the fourth seeded vaulter entering competition.
